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National Pollution Control Strategy – Lao PDR (2015-2016)

As Lao PDR continues its impressive development trajectory, the need to strategically and systematically prevent and mitigate pollution becomes increasingly urgent. Trends such as population growth and urbanization, increased consumerism, agricultural intensification, and industrial expansion are among many drivers of pollution in the country.

Despite legal provisions to minimize and manage pollution, there lacks an overarching law or effective legal and policy frameworks, and the roles and responsibilities of various ministries and agencies are neither clear nor sufficient. Information about current and projected pollution sources, intensity, impacts, and geographic spread is mostly lacking, as are monitoring and compliance systems. As a result, the country is unable to effectively manage pollution and has requested support to address this situation.

In response, the GMS Core Environment Program is working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s (MoNRE) Pollution Control Department (PCD) to develop a National Pollution Control Strategy for 2016-2025.

The strategy will be developed through a participatory process during 2016 and will include guidance on:

See also

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is offering advanced strategic environmental assessment (SEA) training to government planners and decision makers from selected countries. SEA practitioners in Cambodia, PR China, Lao PDR and Viet Nam are among those invited to apply. The first training will be held in Sweden in March 2013 and applications close 31 August 2012.

See the below attachments for more information about the course, including how to lodge an application.

Energy planners and relevant stakeholder received training on strategic environment assessment (SEA) in Lao PDR on 29 November, 2011. The training seminar was jointly organized by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Energy and Mines, and supported by GMS Environment Operations Center. The training showcased the SEA best practices from Greater Mekong Sub-region and demonstrated SEA as a planning tool in support of energy planning in the Lao PDR. The training seminar was a part of the series of activities targeted at building Lao PDR SEA capacity in support of energy sector development in Lao PDR.